BAMT Guide to Professional Practice

BAMT aims to promote the highest standards of professional music therapy practice. This page gives information on the standards governing practicing music therapists in the UK, including professional members of BAMT. It also gives information about guidance on different aspects of music therapy practice in the UK.

The role of the Health Professions Council

All practising music therapists in the UK must be registered with the Health Professions Council (www.hpc-uk.org). You can check if a music therapist is registered at: www.hpcheck.org.uk.  You will need to know their full name or their HPC registration number.    

Registered music therapists must meet the HPCs Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics (available to view or download at: www.hpc-uk.org/assets/documents/10002367FINALcopyofSCPEJuly2008.pdf)  and  the  Standards of Proficiency- Arts Therapists (available to view or download at: www.hpc-uk.org/assets/documents/100004FBStandards_of_Proficiency_Arts_Therapists.pdf).  

The HPC will investigate complaints against registered music therapists and can impose sanctions if a registrant is found to have failed to meet their standards.

The role of BAMT

Professional members of BAMT are encouraged to use BAMT’s Guide to Professional Practice. BAMT also provides guidance on aspects of music therapy practice. This guidance aims to help practitioners, employers and members of the public understand what constitutes ‘good practice’ in music therapy. Following the Guide and this guidance should help ensure that practitioners more than meet minimum standards of practice.

Currently BAMT has the following guidance documents available:

• Guide to Professional Practice (previously the APMT Code of Ethics)
• Guidance on Supervision
• Guidance on CPD 
• Guidance on Health and Safety
• Guidance on Returning to Practice
• Guidance on Personal Fitness, Health and Hearing (in preparation)

 BAMT intends to consult with its professional membership and other organisations on this guidance to ensure it remains up to date. If you would like to comment, please contact BAMT (info@bamt.org).

Important Legal Information

If you have any concerns about the personal conduct or professional competence of a music therapist in the UK you should contact HPC in the first instance (www.hpc-uk.org/complaints/).